Lighting Recommendations

Hi Everyone

Hopefully this is not too much of a repeat of other threads.
I have a 3ft tropical community tank and my live plants are really battling since the move from my smaller tank.
Currently just have some Vallis and Swords but want to plant more.

At the moment I have one 30W T8 running off of a 25 Ballast. (Mounted inside a reflector inside the canopy that came with the tank) Note sure of other details of tube. I'm making some other changes regarding planting (Dosing etc) but not sure where to go with the lighting.

I went to the Local Fish Shop on the weekend and they recommended some options:
LED setups - which seem really attractive but really expensive (Ranging from R3500 up)
T5 setups (With full fitting and mounting - looks like the ones that stand on top of your tank but guy at the shop advised that I would be able to mount in the canopy) - These seem quite expensive too - ranging from R1500 for a 2 Tube unit.

What would everybody recommend? Looking for something affordable (Preferably not over R1K)
It needs to mount inside of the canopy (The tank has glass sliders underneath the canopy so I don't think humidity is too much of a concern)

Let me know if there are any other details that I would need to take into account.

Appreciate the advise

Regards
Brendon

 

i would say go for 2ft opple lights. they are 6500k and 14w(i think). i got 3 of them in my 3ft with 2 x 20w opple cfl's. i get really good growth on vallis, ambulia and java moss.
and they are dirt cheap. think you can get them for R50 a pop. hth

 

I use 4 energy saver bulbs (the biggest which are equivalent to 120w bulb) in my 5ft tank. the whole set up cost under R200 and the plants are growing wild

 

Nice idea can you post a full tank shot so we can see the proof:laugh: also what your light setup looks like.

 

I hope that helps

 

I have put my lights in this order if this was the hood.

 

looking from the top

 

dual odyssea unit costs about 700 nice unit. you say the tank has glass sliders so you can remove the canopy. it looks more modern that way